Ways to combat seasonal depression in the winter

THAT WILL BE SEEN ACROSS FAR SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO. WELL, A LOT OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCE SEASONAL DEPRESSION DURING THE WINTER BECAUSE THE SUN’S JUST NOT UP AS LONG. SOME TAKE VITAMIN D TO HELP TREAT THIS. DARLENE MELENDEZ SPOKE WITH KOAT UNM HEALTH EXPERT DOCTOR RASH ABOUT WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VITAMINS. RESEARCHERS ARE ACTUALLY LOOKING INTO DEPRESSION AND VITAMIN D, AND THERE IS A LINK, BUT THEY AREN’T SURE YET IF THE LACK OF VITAMIN D IN THE SYSTEM CAUSES DEPRESSION, OR IF DEPRESSION LOWERS THE VITAMIN D LEVELS. BUT WE DO KNOW THAT VITAMIN D IS TIED TO A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT HEALTH MARKERS. GOOD LEVELS PROTECT AGAINST CERTAIN CANCERS. MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, AND IT CAN SLOW BONE LOSS. THERE’S ALSO SIGNS IT MAY BE A DEFENSE AGAINST HEART FAILURE AND THE FLU, BUT MORE RESEARCH IS NEEDED TO CERTIFY THAT LINK. WHAT WE DO KNOW IS ABOUT 40% OF PEOPLE ARE NOT GETTING ENOUGH, AND DOCTOR ASH, IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO INCREASE OUR VITAMIN D LEVELS? YOU KNOW, FIRST GET OUT INTO THE SUN. NEW MEXICO HAS LOTS OF IT. OF COURSE YOU WANT TO PROTECT YOUR SKIN FROM SUN DAMAGE, BUT THE AVERAGE PERSON NEEDS 15 TO 20 MINUTES OF SUN EXPOSURE THREE TIMES PER WEEK. BUT FOR MANY, THAT STILL ISN’T ENOUGH. ILLNESS OR MEDICATION CAN INTERRUPT THE BODY’S ABILITY TO CONVERT THE SUN INTO THE VITAMIN D YOUR BODY NEEDS. DIET ALSO PLAYS A ROLE ADDING FISH LIKE TUNA AND SALMON TO YOUR MENU CAN REALLY HELP. ORANGE JUICE AND DAIRY PRODUCTS ARE ALSO GOOD CHOICES. SO ARE BEEF LIVER, EGG YOLKS, AND EVEN VITAMIN FORTIFIED CEREALS. YOU CAN ALSO TAKE SUPPLEMENTS, BUT THESE ARE NOT REGULATED BY THE FDA. SO DO YOUR RESEARCH AND LOOK FOR INDEPENDENT REVIEWS LIKE CONSUMER LABS TO KNOW IF YOUR SUPPLEMENT CHOICE IS A GOOD

Some people may experience seasonal depression during the colder months of the year.That is referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder, a type of depression that happens in late fall and winter due to lack of exposure to the sun. Vitamin D has been used to help treat this.Sister station KOAT and University of New Mexico health expert Dr. Abinash Achrekar said there is an association between Vitamin D and SAD."Researchers are actually looking into depression and vitamin D, and there is a link," Achrekar said. "But they aren't sure yet if the lack of D in the system causes depression, or if depression lowers the vitamin's levels." Despite uncertainty with the use of Vitamin D to treat seasonal depression, Achrekar said there are still known benefits to taking the supplement."But we do know D is tied to a number of different health markers — good levels protect against certain cancers, multiple sclerosis, and it can slow bone loss," Achrekar said. "There are also signs it may be a defense against heart failure and the flu, but more research is needed to certify that link." However, around 40% of people are not getting enough of the vitamin. One easy way to get more is to get outside."Of course, you want to protect your skin from sun damage, but the average person needs 15 to 20 minutes of sun exposure three times a week," Achrekar said. However, for many people, this amount isn't enough due to some illnesses or medications behind used. These can disrupt the body's ability to use sunlight to make Vitamin D.Achrekar also discussed how diet can play a crucial role in obtaining the right amount of the vitamin."Adding fish like tuna, salmon and swordfish to your menu can really help," Achrekar said. "Orange juice and dairy products are also good choices; so are beef liver, egg yolks and even vitamin-fortified cereals."He also said supplements can be taken, but to do your own research since they are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.If you or someone you know needs help, you can talk with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or sending a text message to 988, or you can chat online here.

Some people may experience seasonal depression during the colder months of the year.

That is referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder, a type of depression that happens in late fall and winter due to lack of exposure to the sun. Vitamin D has been used to help treat this.

Sister station KOAT and University of New Mexico health expert Dr. Abinash Achrekar said there is an association between Vitamin D and SAD.

"Researchers are actually looking into depression and vitamin D, and there is a link," Achrekar said. "But they aren't sure yet if the lack of D in the system causes depression, or if depression lowers the vitamin's levels."

Despite uncertainty with the use of Vitamin D to treat seasonal depression, Achrekar said there are still known benefits to taking the supplement.

"But we do know D is tied to a number of different health markers — good levels protect against certain cancers, multiple sclerosis, and it can slow bone loss," Achrekar said. "There are also signs it may be a defense against heart failure and the flu, but more research is needed to certify that link."

However, around 40% of people are not getting enough of the vitamin. One easy way to get more is to get outside.

"Of course, you want to protect your skin from sun damage, but the average person needs 15 to 20 minutes of sun exposure three times a week," Achrekar said.

However, for many people, this amount isn't enough due to some illnesses or medications behind used. These can disrupt the body's ability to use sunlight to make Vitamin D.

Achrekar also discussed how diet can play a crucial role in obtaining the right amount of the vitamin.

"Adding fish like tuna, salmon and swordfish to your menu can really help," Achrekar said. "Orange juice and dairy products are also good choices; so are beef liver, egg yolks and even vitamin-fortified cereals."

He also said supplements can be taken, but to do your own research since they are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

If you or someone you know needs help, you can talk with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or sending a text message to 988, or you can chat online here.

Ways to combat seasonal depression in the winter

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